On August 10, Pam Chavis (25) fell 75 feet from Chapel Ledges, where she was attempting her first free-solo climb. She had reached for a handhold, shifted some of her weight to that hand, then slipped. She got away with one leg fractured and one broken ankle.

Analysis

Pam Chavis had little climbing experience, and this was only her second time at this particular site. The newspaper report quoted her as saying, “I’m not going to let that rock get the best of me.” So it is presumed she’ll climb there again—but hopefully not with “an attitude.” (Sources: Jed Williamson and an article by Jacqueline Walsh in the August 20, 1995, Springfield Republican)

On August 10, Pam Chavis (25) fell 75 feet from Chapel Ledges, where she was attempting her first free-solo climb. She had reached for a handhold, shifted some of her weight to that hand, then slipped. She got away with one leg fractured and one broken ankle.

Analysis

Pam Chavis had little climbing experience, and this was only her second time at this particular site. The newspaper report quoted her as saying, “I’m not going to let that rock get the best of me.” So it is presumed she’ll climb there again—but hopefully not with “an attitude.” (Sources: Jed Williamson and an article by Jacqueline Walsh in the August 20, 1995, Springfield Republican)

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